Forensic Science Syllabus  - Vargo AI High

1 semester (0.5 credit)

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide an overview of the basic science concepts and techniques used in a forensic science laboratory.  The nature and significance of physical evidence and the underlying chemical and biological principles of the scientific techniques employed for analysis and the interpretation will be emphasized.  Topics covered include hair, fiber and paint analysis, forensic toxicology and serology, blood spatter, arson and explosives, fingerprinting and forensic DNA analysis techniques. 

 

A series of planned activities (in lab and online) will provide practical experiences.  Data will kept as if planned to be used in a court of law.  Students will also research a well known crime: they will write a paper showing their understanding of the processes used to solve the crime and make a presentation for their class. 

 

Course Prerequisites:

Satisfactory (grade C or better) completion of Biology, Chemistry, Algebra 2.

 

Specific Course Objectives:

1.     Interpret and analyze scientific information.

2.     Develop hypothesis based on observation of natural phenomena.

3.     Explain experimental design based on testable hypothesis as a result of observation and prediction.

4.     Record and organize data resulting from quantitative measurement using tables and graphs.

5.     Interpret and analyze data and come to conclusions based on the evidence presented.

6.     Calculate using factor label method.

7.     Describe the characteristics of an element using the periodic table and the combination of elements to form simple compounds.

8.     Describe several basic analytical techniques for the identification of organic and inorganic substances.

9.     Describe the optical principles of different microscopes and their application in examining various types of forensic evidence.

10. Describe the characteristics of hair, fibers and paint and the different techniques used in a forensic examination to determine a probability match.

11. Describe and give examples of the different classes of drugs and their physiological and psychological effects in humans as they relate to drug dependence.

12. Describe the characteristics of alcohol toxicity and its detection in the breath and blood using forensic analysis tools.

13. Describe the forensic aspects of arson and explosive investigations.

14. Describe the forensic serology techniques used to characterize and individualize biological evidence.

15. Describe the DNA typing techniques used to link with certainty the origin of biological evidence to a single individual.

16. Describe the fundamental principles of fingerprints and the techniques used for detection and classification in the forensics laboratory.

 

Textbook:

Richard Saferstein; Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science 10th edition (2011)

Lab manual (2011)

 

Units/Topics:

1 Intro to Forensics

2 The Crime Scene

3 Physical Evidence

4 Physical Properties: Glass and Soil

5Organic Analysis

6 Inorganic Analysis

7 The Microscope

8 Hairs, Fiber and Paint

9 Drugs

10 Forensic Technology

11 Forensic Aspects of Explosions and Arson

12 Forensic Serology

13 DNA

14 Fingerprints

15 Firearms, Tool marks and Other Impressions

16 Document and Voice Examination

18 Forensic Science and the Internet

Grading:

Labs  30%

Assessments (quizes, tests and projects) 40%

Daily work (class work and homework) 20%

Citizenship & participation 10%